Ten Projections to Bust-Proof your Bracket

The Final Four is in Houston, but the best picks are right here in Terp's Take!!!

(ed note: This is the 2011 edition. The 2010 edition does not exist. Don't both looking it up. It's in the trash. I'm sorry to anyone who bet a red cent on those predictions. Just know that I will be better this year. I have to be.)

It's that time of year!!! Time to make the picks based on mascots, uniform colors, and I guarantee I will still lose to my boss' daughter! Can't wait! On to the projections...

#1 - Pencil in both Michigan and MSU for the second round: Both teams drew pretty good match-ups for Round One. Michigan gets a struggling but talented Tennessee team, and MSU gets a talented but underwhelming UCLA squad. MSU has the better chance to win out of the two schools, but I think both get through. However, there's no chance Michigan beats Duke in Charlotte. They just don't have enough yet. I also guarantee that MSU over Florida will be the most popular upset pick in Round 2 in just about any NCAA pool, but don't be so quick to send Sparty to the Sweet 16. Florida is an athletic team that can hit shots, the exact type of team that give State problems. Plus Billy Donovan knows how to coach in the tournament. They aren't as ripe for the upsetting as you think. I believe both MSU and Michigan bow out after first round victories.

#2 - All my upset specials have terrible match-ups: Going into this tournament I loved teams like Belmont, Wofford, Richmond, and Oakland. After Selection Sunday, I hate the match-ups for all four. Oakland gets Texas, an athletic team that is much better than a 4-seed, and their strengths match-up perfectly with the Grizzlies. Richmond has the best shot, because they can beat Vanderbilt, but I don't think they can handle Louisville in Round 2. Wofford is going to get Jimmer-ed by BYU, and while Belmont will battle Wisconsin, I really like the Badgers this year. It's lame because of course upsets will happen, but now I'm left searching for my Kayser Soze.

#3 - Wisconsin is a Final Four team: I told you I like the Badgers. If they get past Belmont (and that's a big IF), they can get all the way to the Final Four. They play a brand of basketball that is perfect for the tournament. They have a big-play point guard in Jordan Taylor, and you need that to win in March. They also have balance in their frontcourt, a scorer in Jon Leuer and a match-up nightmare with the long-range bombing Keaton Nankivil. Their draw in the Southeast region doesn't contain any massive roadblocks. They can beat Pitt or Florida. People will sleep on them because of that embarrassment of a game against Penn State. Don't miss out.

#4 - Old Dominion and George Mason = SCARY: As 8 and 9 seeds, it's easy to think that both these teams will be out after the first weekend, but just know that neither Pittsburgh or Ohio State will be pleased to see either one of these squads. Old Dominion is one of those hard-nosed defensive-minded teams that rebounds very well and limits possessions, while George Mason is the opposite: a sweet-shooting team (39% from three) with great scoring balance. Both are a scary Round 2 proposition.

#5 - BYU goes home early: If they get past Wofford, I think St John's will take them out. Jimmer Fredette is my favorite player in college basketball, but he just can't do it alone, and the suspension of Brandon Davies ruined the balance of the Cougars. St John's is a nasty, well-tested team. I just don't see BYU getting to the Sweet 16 despite a favorable seed.

#6 - I hate the Pac-10, but I love Derek Williams: I think the Pac-10 plays soft basketball, the wrong brand for this time of year. However, Arizona's Derek Williams is the kind of player who can make up for a lack of experience in tough games. Arizona will surprise Texas in Round 2, and will give Duke some problems before finally succumbing in the Sweet 16.

#7 - I'm really excited for a Purdue vs Notre Dame match-up: The in-state rivals could do battle with an Elite Eight trip on the line. Both teams have similar skill sets, the E'Twaun Moore - Ben Hansbrough battle could be great, and we'll get to see if JaJuan Johnson can come up big in a big game. There seems to be a clear road to this meeting, and it's one of the tournament's most exciting.

#8 - The first #1 seed to go down will be Pittsburgh: Many people like Pitt to go into the Final Four. I'm not one of them. They will have a battle with Old Dominion, and if they get past that, I see Wisconsin bringing them down in the Sweet 16.

#9 - My Final Four are Wisconsin, Kansas, Ohio State, and UConn: Kansas and OSU will battle through their brackets, and both will have very tough Elite Eight games versus Purdue and UNC, respectively. UConn will find a way to upset Duke and punch their ticket. I forsee a title game between OSU and Kansas in my crystal ball. Should be an epic match-up that the Jayhawks will ultimately win.

#10 - If you have a pool that counts these "First Four" games, find yourself a new pool: These games are dumb. They were put together strictly to try and make the NCAA more money. They don't fit on my bracket sheet. Forget them, and just pick the field of 64. Fight the power!!!

Best of luck with the picks! Hopefully this year my bracket survives past the first weekend.

You can listen to Ryan Terpstra on Sean, Terp, & Killer weekdays from 3-6pm on ESPN 96.1 FM in West Michigan and 1130 AM WDFN in Detroit. Or using the Iheartradio app for your smartphone.